L.I.F.E. Medicaid Service Coordination Launching Independence For Everyone
Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) is a free, state-funded service available to individuals who have a diagnosed developmental disability. Development disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, and neurological impairment that occurred before age 22 and will continue for life.
L.I.F.E. Medicaid Service Coordinators (MSCs) advocate and assist individuals with life management and community living. L.I.F.E. MSCs are experts on community services, resources, and entitlement programs. They act as advocates and liaisons to access programs and services the individual consumer wants or needs. They do not provide these services, but work to link consumers to them.
The L.I.F.E. MSC develops an Individual Service Plan with each consumer that reflects the consumer’s personality, likes and interests, goals and desired outcomes.
Goals and desired outcomes may include, but are not limited to, help in finding:
- Medical/dental services
- Respite care
- Recreational activities
- Access to entitlements and benefits (i.e. SSI)
- Information about setting up trusts funds to protect consumer/family assets
- Crisis intervention
- Affordable and quality housing
- Linkage to training and/or employment opportunities
- Advocacy with “the system” (i.e. educational, medical, benefit, legal))
- Day Habilitation
- Adaptive equipment and/or environmental modifications (i.e. hearing aids, ramp)
- Support groups
- Parent education
Partnership Employment Center (PEC) EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
The Partnership Employment Center (PEC) provides several different programs for individuals with disabilities that want to work within the community. All of our programs are free and you must be VESID (Vocational & Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities) or OMRDD (Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) approved.
The following describes our different program options:
- Supported Employment
- Direct & Transitional Job Placement
- OMRDD’s Internship Program
The Supported Employment program will supply you with one-on-one job development and placement, as well as job coaching on or off the work site. Your personal Job Coach will help ensure that your employer will be pleased with your work performance and you will be satisfied with your new job. Extended Supported Employment services will continue until you or your employer tell us that our services are no longer needed.
The Direct Placement program provides job placement services with the assistance of an Employment Specialist and a Job Agent. Transitional placement allows for job coaching in limited situations and services will discontinue after 90 days of continuous employment.
The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities offers an employment program for job placement in the community. We supply the job development and coaching at the employer’s work site. You must become OMRDD enrolled in order to participate in this program.
Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation
What is Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation?
Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation (DVE) is a structured work experience which provides the opportunity to assess an individual’s
- Basic work behaviors and habits
- Work attitudes and values
- Interpersonal relationship skills
- Personal and environmental coping skills
- Readiness for rehabilitation and vocational goal planning
- Vocational interest, skills, and values
Our policy and desire is to assist each individual with a program that is designed especially for him or her, in order to meet the specific vocational needs of the individual. The evaluation is designed to assist the individual in exploring vocational options and in choosing, obtaining, and keeping employment.
Following the completion of an evaluation, a recommendation is created which best suits the individual’s needs and skill level. The recommendation may include further education, training, or job placements.
Who is eligible?
Participation in the DVE process requires a referral from VESID (607-721-8400 and VESID WEBSITE link). The Southern Tier Office of VESID serves Broome, Tioga, Delaware, and Chenango Counties. The DVE is available to individuals with disabilities 16 years of age (who are no longer in school and who have working papers) through adults. SWS, Inc. is an equal opportunity service provider offering services to individuals in all disability groups.
What kinds of jobs are included?
Work sites available may include: bench assembly, food service, and janitorial services. These are paid experiences. In addition, assessments are available in the computer skills area for individuals who have or will have a G.E.D. or H.S. diploma.
- Contact Information:
- Sheila LaVassar
- Phone: (607) 722-8253 Ext 209
- Fax: (607) 722-0869
- E-mail: slavassar@swsinc.org
COMPUTER/CAREER SKILLS VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
SWS, Inc.’s Computer/Career Skills Vocational Training Program is currently in the application process of becoming a NYS Education Department Certified Business School.
What is the computer/ career skills vocational training program?
The Computer/Career Skills Vocational Training program provides individuals with the training necessary to obtain entry level clerical or intermediate administrative positions. Individuals learn keyboarding/typing, with an emphasis on accuracy/speed, and the latest versions of business application software such as the Microsoft Office Suite. In addition, written curriculum in computer literacy, spelling; math, proofreading, and job seeking skills are provided. The individual will have a completed resume and certificate of completion at the end of training.
What sets SWS Inc.’s training apart from other training programs?
- Based on the information obtained during an evaluation, an individualized training program is designed to meet and address the individual’s needs and abilities.
- The training program is administered in a self-paced format, which allows the individual to work at his/her own pace. Therefore, if the individual is unable to attend class daily or requires limited hours based upon his/her physical or mental endurance, he/she does not miss any required curriculum.
- Classes are offered during the day, early or late morning, when individuals, who are not working, can attend and childcare services are easier to obtain.
- Unlike other training programs, placement services are provided. Different levels of placement assistance are available depending on individual need.
Who is eligible?
Completion of a Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation in the computer skills area, and a referral from sponsoring agency such as Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) or the Commision for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH).
** It is important to note that these programs are available to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Specialized adaptive equipment is available for individuals through a partnership with the Commision for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH).
- Contact Information:
- Sheila LaVassar
- Phone: (607) 722 - 8253 Ext 209
- Fax: (607) 722 - 0869
- Email: slavassar@swsinc.org
Long Term Sheltered Employment (LTSE)
Long Term Sheltered Employment may serve to assist you in a structured work environment and provide work mentoring by staff that will continuously assess and groom positive work skills and behaviors. The goal of this type of employment is to ready you for work in a community setting by providing additional skills training and work experience.
- Contact Information:
- Laura Henry
- Phone: (607) 722-8253 Ext 235
- Fax: (607) 722-0869
- E-mail: lhenry@swsinc.org
Pre-Vocational Program
The Pre-Voc Program is designed for those that require additional support in developing their behavioral workplace skills. The SWS staff will concentrate on readying you for placement in the LTSE program environment, which in turn allows you to then build upon your technical work skills.
- Contact Information:
- Laura Henry
- Phone: (607) 722-8253 Ext 235
- Fax: (607) 722-0869
- E-mail: lhenry@swsinc.org